Hi Pentaxian friends.
PENTAX ADDS 100mm F2.8 WR MACRO TO WEATHER-RESISTANT LENS LINE-UP
GOLDEN, COLORADO (December 9, 2009)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced the smc PENTAX D FA MACRO 100mm F2.8 WR lens designed for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras. Combining a high-quality exterior finish with PENTAX-original weather-resistant construction, this new macro lens is especially useful for the demands of outdoor photography.
This PENTAX macro lens features a high-grade, aluminum barrel with the high-quality, exclusive exterior design and finish unique to the PENTAX D FA series lenses. Further, the entire mechanism of the focus ring has been reviewed and upgraded to assure flawless manual-focus operation. For improved performance, the PENTAX D FA MACRO 100mm F2.8 WR is the first PENTAX interchangeable macro lens featuring a completely rounded diaphragm blade to create a natural, beautiful bokeh at wide apertures, while minimizing the streaking effect of point light sources.
PENTAX WR lenses feature simplified weather-resistant construction to repel water and moisture. Combined with a PENTAX weather-resistant K-7, K20D, K200D or K10D digital SLR camera body, the lens performs well in damp, inclement outdoor conditions including rain, mist, water spray and splashes.
The lens also features the PENTAX-original SP (Super Protect) surface coating to repel dust, water and grease and to minimize fingerprints.
Other significant features of this latest WR lens include:
* Mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body, this lens offers a focal length equivalent to 153mm in the 35mm format for high-quality, true-to-life images, while minimizing flare and ghost images. The maximum life-size magnification allows photographers to capture dramatic close-up images with great ease.
* A working distance of just over five inches (13 cm) facilitates close-up photography of subjects including flora, insects, and wildlife.
* The PENTAX-developed Quick-Shift Focus System for instant switching to manual-focus operation after the subject is captured in focus by the camera’s AF system.
* An image circle to accommodate 35mm film-format camera image size.
* Compatibility with the macro adapter included in the PENTAX AF160FC dedicated Auto Macro Ring Flash.
SPECIFICATIONS
smc PENTAX-D FA MACRO 100mm F2.8 WR
Focal Length: 100mm (Equivalent to 153mm in 35mm format)
Aperture: F2.8
Minimum Aperture: F32
Lens Construction: 9 elements in 8 groups
Angle of View: 16° (wiith PENTAX Digital SLR body)
24.5° (with 35mm Film SLR body)
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.303m (0.99 ft.)
Maximum Magnification: 1.00x
Filter Diameter: 49mm
Diaphragm Control: Fully Automatic
Number of Diaphragm Blades: 8
Lens Aperture Ring: None
Tripod Adapter: None
Lens Hood: PH-RBE49
Lens Case: S80-120
Front Cap: O-LC49
Maximum Diameter & Minimum Length: 65mm x 80.5mm (2.6 inch x 3.2 inch)
Weight: 340g (12 oz.)
Furnished accessory: Hood, Case, and Lens Cap
REMARKS
Simplified Weather-Resistant
Rounded Diaphragm Blade
Quick-Shift Focus System
SP (Super Protect) Coating
5 comments:
Yvon, is the Pentax quoted price of $850 MSRP or street price?
2nd question: Does it focus via screwdrive, SDM, or both?
Misere,
The price is MSRP and is likely to be less once it is available. The lens is actually a D FA and the focus is via screwdrive. The aperture is controlled by the camera body but the focus can be auto via screwdrive or manual. Strangely enough, the lens is a full frame. Is this because it was easier to update the current 100mm D FA Macro or is it because Pentax is thinking FULL FRAME in the future?
is it because Pentax is thinking FULL FRAME in the future?
You tell me, Yvon! ;-)
So it looks like Ltd lenses still don't get SDM. I actually think that's a good thing. Although I don't agree with the release of this lens (there are much more needed lenses right now), I do think it's beautiful to look at.
Any news on a focus distance limiter? AF macro lenses really need one.
Nice lens and all, but nothing something that interests. It's cool that this new lens they have realized is really backwards compatible. Maybe Pentax has thought about the people that are still using *ist, K100d cameras and even film? Good for them.
-Somanna
Post a Comment